To me, this quote from the Bible is an example of how this book was written by men at a specific time in history that reflects that time and doesn’t necessarily apply to today. Some of it does, such as “Love your neighbor as yourself” but some of it only reflects the biases of the time it was written in.
from Google AI:
“Why was left-handedness seen as evil?
Left-handedness was historically considered evil or "sinister" primarily due to deep-rooted religious, cultural, and superstitious beliefs that equated the left side with the devil, weakness, and uncleanliness. Because left-handers were a minority, they were often seen as different and untrustworthy, leading to systemic prejudice, forced correction, and accusations of witchcraft or witchcraft-related activities.
Key reasons for the stigma include:
Religious Symbolism: In Christianity, the left hand was associated with evil and the devil, partly due to the belief that Lucifer fell from God's left side and Judas was left-handed. Right-handedness was linked to righteousness and "good".
Etymology: The word "sinister" comes from the Latin word for "left," which evolved to mean ominous or evil.
Hygiene and Culture: In many ancient cultures, the left hand was designated for unclean tasks, such as personal hygiene, while the right hand was used for eating, offering, and shaking hands.
Association with Witchcraft: Left-handedness was believed to be a mark of a witch or someone who had made a pact with the devil.
"Gauche" and Unskillfulness: The term "gauche" (French for left) became synonymous with clumsy or awkward, further stigmatizing the dominant hand of approximately 10% of the population.
Throughout history, this bias led to the forced conversion of children to become right-handed, a practice common in schools well into the 20th century.”
